Eden Brew is working to meet the growing demand for dairy proteins in a nutritious, sustainable and animal-free way. Co-founded in 2021 by Main Sequence Ventures, CSIRO, dairy co-operative Norco and CEO Jim Fader, the company is using precision fermentation to create dairy products that deliver both the nutrition and sensory experience of traditional cow’s milk. Excitingly, Eden Brew is aiming to have products on shelves in 2025!
In traditional cow’s milk, most of the protein is found in tiny, bubble-like cages called micelles. Eden Brew’s technology allows them to combine their precision- fermented casein (a type of dairy protein) into micelles. It is the micelle that allows the proteins to remain suspended. This gives sensory advantages and functional advantages, such as a frothy creamy taste and mouthfeel. The micelles can also carry nutrients like calcium and phosphorus, and can be heat treated and pasteurised to increase shelf life. In partnership with Norco, the micelles will be added to other nutrient and flavour ingredients to create a milk product, which is lactose-free and cholesterol free.
In an impressive development, Eden Brew recently raised AUD $24.4 million in their Series A funding round. Investors included Main Sequence Ventures, Breakthrough Victoria, Orkla and Radar Ventures. Celebrities including Angus Stone and Dylan Alcott also invested via Main Sequence’s social impact community fund Voice Capital. They’ll be using the funds to seek regulatory and patent approvals, as well as piloting commercial scale animal-free dairy production and launching a food service ice cream product.
Just recently, Eden Brew appointed Dr Rob Brown as Chief Scientific Officer. Dr Brown has extensive experience in research and development, most recently as Vice President of Research at the synthetic biology company Viridos. He will be relocating from the US to lead Eden Brew’s R&D team to continue their development of new products.
Alongside hyper-focus on research, product development and scale, along with the regulatory approvals required to launch new products, Eden Brew will be focussing on their go-to-market strategy, from product/market fit to consumer-friendly storytelling and engagement with food service experts.
CAA is delighted to have Eden Brew as one of our inaugural corporate sponsors. Eden Brew is developing leading edge technology, and supporting the development of an ethical and sustainable food system. Their support for our work and their contribution to the broader Australian cellular agriculture sector is greatly valued, and we can’t thank them enough for their ongoing support.
Learn more about Eden Brew at edenbrew.com.au